Portable mat



' 'Oct. 17, 1944. N. s. HART ER 2,

PORTABLE MAT v Filed March 12, 1942 4 Sheets-Shget 1 NOAI-LS. HARTER Oct. 17, N. s HARTE'R 2,360,674

' PORTABLE MAT I Filed llarch 12,1942 4 She ets-Sheet 2 H14 120 12 I II I II H l:

INVENTO R NOAHS HA PTER Fig.4.

Oc t. 17, 1944 N. s. HARTER PORTABLE MAT Filed March 12, 1942 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR A/o/w. HARTER I fig 147729 Oct. 17

, N. s.- HARTE'R PORTABLE MAT Filed March 12, 1942 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 WW WN INVENTOR 1 6/3 A/fwwey Patented Oct. 17, 1944 I Noah S. Barter, Waukegan, Ill., assignmto The American Steel and Wire Company of New Jersey. a corporation oi' New Jersey Application March 12, 1942, Serial No. 434,419

4 Claims. (Oi. 94-13) This invention relates to removable mats, and particularly to an-improved portable mat especially adaptable as a landing fleld mat for use in landing aeroplanes and the like, and to a method of assembling the same.

It is one of the objects of the present invention to provide an improved portable mat'which is simple and inexpensive inits construction and use, and, at the same time, one assembled for use, or dismantled.

It is another object of the invention to provide an improved portable mat which is strong and rugged in its construction and one which is relatively light in weight, thereby making it readily transportable from one point to another.

It is a more specific object of the present invention to providea portable mat consisting ofa plurality of chain link fabric panels or sections connected together by an improved fastening means, so as to provide a mat having a substantially flat continuous surface which is especially adaptable for use as an aeroplane landing field ma It is a further object of the invention to provide a portable mat which is composed of panels or sections that areflexible in the direction of vehicular movement on the mat so that it can react to any suddenly applied forces, such as the impact of the wheels of a moving vehicle, in such a manner that no permanent set will be formed in the mat structure but that the mat will immediately restore itself to its original form after the impact.

that is quickly other..

Various other objects and advantages 01' this invention will be more apparent in the course of the following specification, and will be particularly pointed out. in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings there is shown, for the purpose of illustration, an embodiment which my invention may assume in practice.

In these drawings: I

Figure 1 is a plan view of the improved portable mat of my invention;

Figure 2 is a section taken on line II-II of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a plan view of the section shown in Figure 2:1

Figure-i 1s asection taken on line IV-IV of Figure 1; a

Figure 5 ls-a plan view of the section shown in Figure 41 Figure 6 is a section taken on line VI-VI of Figure 1;

Figure '7 isa plan view 01' the section shown in Figure 6; I

Figure 8 is a detail view showing the construction of the spiral wires of the wire fabric sections from which my improved mat is made;

Figure 9 is an end view of Figure 8; Figure 10 Ba detail view showing one of th fastening members for connecting the sections together; and

Figure 11 is a side view of Figure '10.

Referring more particularlyto the drawings,

the improved portable mat of my inventioncons.sts of a plurality of substantially flat chain.

link flexible fabric panels or sections 2 adapted to be laid in substantially abutting relation to each The panels or sections may be laid with the side edges of'adjacent panels either actually abutting or spaced a slight distance apart, preferably not over 2 inchesapart. Each of the flat panels or sections 2 consists preferably of a plurality of steel wires 3 shaped in the form ofoval spirals and coiled together, as shown in Figures 8 and 9 of the drawings, to. form a .continuous reticulated flexible panel commonly known in the fence art as chain link fabric. For example, a very practical section for use, as shown in the drawings, consists of a panel about 10 feet wide and '300 feet long, consisting of steel wires 3 formed into oval spiralswhicn, when linked toinch in diameter. While P nels 10 feet wide by 300 feet long are preferred, itwill be possible, when using chain link fabric as described, to make the panels any desirable width, depending upon the length of tne spirals selected. Also, the length of a panel can be'varied as desired by inserting. a

.spiral wire link member between two panels so as to connect two smaller panels to form a larger panel.

As shown in Figures '1, 5,. '1, 10, and 11' of the drawings, there is arranged, along each of the opposed abutting side edges of themesh, panels or sections 2, a plurality of link-like fasteners 4 spaced approximately 6 inches apart. These fasteners are preferably in the form of straight rods about ofan inch in diameter and approximately 6 inches long and are provided with a hook or eye portion 5 and 6 at each'end thereof. The inner eye or hook 5 is substantially closed and attached to the chain link fabric at the intersection of two adjacent spiral wires thereof at of the inner hook portions out through the oval 5 space formed by one of-the spirals to the edge or slightly beyond the edge of the panel or section to which the hooks are attached. That. is, the straight portion of each of the fasteners B is disposed within the oval spirals of the steel wires 3 forming the fabric of the section, so that the movement of the fasteners is confined, and free movement of the fasteners is thus prevented. The outer eye or hook portiont of each of the fasteners is preferably bent in a plane substantially at right angles to the plane in which the inner eye or hook portions 5 are bent and each of the outer eyes or hooks is opened a sumcient space to permit the insertion of a wire rope 16 in a manner hereinafter to be described. Each of the outer eye or hook portions 6 is preferably bent I so as to present the open space of the hook either to the upper or lower side of the panel or section of the mat, or theymay be bent into the same plane, either to the right or to the left of l the inner hooks and in the same plane as the plane of the chain link panels or sections in which the inner hook portions 5 are bent. By attaching the hooks or fasteners to the panels in the manner described, any forces exerted by the fasteners, due to a pull on the same by the impact of a vehicle moving on the mat, will be transmitted to the true horizontal axis of the fabric, thereby transmitting a uniform pull on the fabric and preventing any side pulls and consequent concentration of stresses and formations of undesirable sets or permanent distortion of the fabric of the panels.

A series of panels or sections 2 as described are then laid together side by side in substantially abutting relationship to form an aeroplane landing mat of.any width and length desired. Adjacent panels or sections 2 having the hook or fasteners 4 attached to the side edges thereof are so laid that the fasteners 4 are arranged in a staggered relationship, as shown in Figure 7,

and the adjacent panels are connected together by inserting a wire rope or cable I6 into the open hook portions 6 of all of the fasteners 4 so that adjacent sections or panels are connected to the wire rope or cable therebetween and successively to each other. For this purpose I prefer a /2 inch flexible 'steel rope, known in the art as Plow steelhoisting grade.

By thus anchoring the inner hook portions 5 of 55 the fasteners '4 in the manner described, that is, a distance equaling approximately one and onehalf meshes of the fabric in from the edge of the fabric section, the shank or straight portion of fasteners are preferably galvanized or otherwise coated so as to render the mat resistant to corrosion.

The end of thezstock-or wire defining the open space of the outer hook portion 5 of each of the fasteners 4 is preferably rounded or chamfered so as to present a rounded edge for facilitating the insertion of the wire rope elements l6 into the hooks. Thus, in the event the fasteners are attached to the fabric with the open hook portions 6 bent perpendicular to the horizontal plane of the mat, with the open hook portions 6 turned upwardly, the rounded or chamfered edge portions on the end of the hooks of the fasteners will be presented so as to minimize any injury, to the wheels of the vehicles operating on the mat. It is preferable, however, that the fasteners 4 be secured to the panels so that the open hook portions 6 are bent downwardly from the face of the mat whereby, if the hook portion is pulled out straight by a sudden impact on the mat, the straightened hook portion will be projected down into the earth on which the mat is laid.

The portable mat of my invention is assembled in'the following manner:

The mesh panels or sections 2 are arranged in the desired position with their side edges substantially abutting as shown so that the longitudinal axis of the spiral wires of adjacent panels are parallel to and coincide witheach other and so that they are parallel to and coincide with the general direction the aeroplanes or vehicles are adapted to move over the mat.

By such an arrangement, a maximum fiexibility of the panels comprising the mat is obtained, so that, as the wheels of an aeroplane or tion, due to the pivoting or hinging action of the chain link fabric construction, unless the wires are held down in their distorted position by other agencies, such as soft earth or sand into which the mat may have been pressed by the wheels of the vehicle, in which case, if desired, the mat can be pulled up out of the sand so as to restore it to its original position.

When the first panel or section 2 defining the mat is laid, it issubjected to a preliminary or nominal tension so that the side edges will be straight. The panel is stretched by tensioning means 8 provided at each end of the panel and spaced approximately 2 feet apart, as shown in Figures 1 and 2 ofthe' drawings. This tensioning means, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, consists the fasteners 4 is confined by intersections of the go preferably of a series of rods ill with book porspiral wires at both sides of the shank in a position parallel to the longitudinal axis of the spiral wires 3 of the chain link fabricand substantially perpendicular tothe sides of the panels 2 so'that the outer open hooks 8 are prevented from swing- 5 ing out of line and are held in'a substantially fixed position readily accessible for the lacing of thewir'e rope elements into the hooks'duringthe assembling of the sections or panels 2. I

The ends of the wire spirals 3 forming panels or sections 2, are preferably knuckled over in pairs, as shown atl i i-Figures 5 and 'l, toihold the wire spirals together in the position. in which they are linked. All of the wires formenable the rods ID to exert a uniform pull on the paneland prevent the formation of concentrated stresses :therein. The bars! are laid preferably the 79 in the oval space in the outer wire spiral of the panels, substantially parallel 'to the longitudinal axis of. the outer wire spirals thereof.

The rods III are preferably threaded on the ends opposite the hook portions H and have nuts ing, the panels or sections 2 and the hooks or 7 12 and washers Ila an'anged thereon. There is are driven into the ground at a point intermedithe manner shown so as not to present any ob-.

stacles for vehicles that may pass over theedge of the mat.

After one panel or section 2 has been laid and ,giyemnominal preliniinary stretch to straighten the sides thereof, a second panel 2 is laidadjacent and in abutting relation to the first panel and the second panel is then given the same nominal stretch to straighten the sides thereof and to present the hooks or fasteners 4 in the side edges thereof in a staggered relationship to the hooks or fasteners secured in the adjacent-side of the first panel or section 2. Thereafter the rope or cable 16 is laced in the open hooks 6 of the fasteners E in the abutting sides of the two adjacent panels, whereupon thev rope is pulled taut to draw the two panels together and into position as shown in Figures 1 and '7. Tensioning means similar to tension devices 8 used at the ends of the panels 2 are preferably used to tension the ropeor cable 58 which can be attached to both ends of the rope by means of eyes I I I i ll formed in the ends of the rope element and held by any ordinary type oferope orcaifleilip as shown in Figures 6 and '7. These tensioning devices for'the rope or cable are'likewise preferably buried in the ground so as not to leave any obstruction above ground to impede moving vehicles.

80 the invention, as defined by the appended claims.

that there is'provided an improved portable mat consisting of a plurality of panels or sections of chain link fabric, with each portion of the sections being capable of being flexed out of the plane of the mat, due to forces or impacts to which themat may be subjected in use, without permanently distorting or causing the formation of permanent sets in the fabric of the mat and thereby maintaining the latter uniformly fiat at all times.

By my invention, I have provided an improved portable unitary mat having-panels or sections which are positively secured together and yet provide a flexible joint, with the connecting or fastening means confined within the upper and lower surfaces of the panels or sections.

It will also be seen that the mat can be quickly dismantled, if desired, and transported from one point to another by merely unlacing the wire rope elements from the abutting edges of the sections and detaching the anchoring means provided at the end and side edges thereof, thereby providing a mat which is serviceable and one whichcan be quickly assembled and dismantled.

While I have shown and describeda particular embodiment of my invention; it will be understood that I do not wishto be limited exactly thereto, as various modifications and changes may be made without departing from the scope of I claim:

1. A portable mat of the class described comprising a plurality of substantially flat sections of woven chain link fabric formed of wire spirals,

35 said sections adapted to be laid in substantially abutting relation for rapid attachment and detachment to each other with the longitudinal axis of the wire spirals in each section laid substan- 40 sections, a plurality of spaced apart fastening After the second panel or section 2 has'been laid, a third panel may be laid and given a preliminary stretch or tension and a second cable may be laced into the hooks of the fasteners secured in the adjacent side edges of the second and third panels after which the cable can be pulled tight to draw the sides of the panels together, care being taken to maintain the sides of the panels straight at all times. Additionalpanels can thereafter be laid in place and similarly tensioned and secured in place until the entire mat has been laid. After a number of panels have been laid, additional tension can be applied to the ends of the panels beyond the tially perpendicular to the abutting edges of said members arranged alongthe abutting edges of each of said sections, a fiexible'member arranged between the abutting edges of each of said sections and extending throughout the length there- Y the wirespirals and confined 'therewithin sub- Q stantially in the plane of the fabric, a bar arranged through the convolutions of the outermost wire spiral at each side of each of said sections substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the wire spirals, means attached to said bar for stretching and anchoring the same at the sides of said mat, and means connected to both of the endmost sections of the mat for stretching and anchoring the same'at the ends apart, as shown in Figures 1, 4, and 5, similar tothe tension devices 8 arranged at the ends of the panels for tensioning the mat in-a longitudinal direction.

It will be understood that while my improved mat is especially adaptable for use as a landing field mat for aeroplanes and the like, it may be used for any purpose wherein it is desired to thereof. 7

2. A portable mat of the class described, as defined in claim 1, wherein the means arranged on each end of each of the fastening members for connecting the same to the flexible member and to the link fabricconsists of a substantially hook-shaped portion.

3. A portable mat of the class described consisting of a plurality of sections of woven chair. link fabric formed of spiral wires which are adapted to be laid in substantially abutting relation for rapid attachment and detachment to each other, a plurality of spaced apart fastening members arranged along each of the abutting edges of each of said sections with each of "said fastening members extending into the convolutions of the wire spirals of the link fabric so as -to be confined therewithin substantially in the plane thereof, anda longitudinally extending flexible member arranged between the abutting edges of each of said sections to which said fastening members are attached so as to provide a continuous unitary mat, each of the fastening members consisting of a link-like member .hav-

' ing a hook-shaped portion arranged in each end thereof with one of the hook-shaped port ions con- 4 nected to the wire fabric at the intersection of two of the spiral wires thereof, and the other hook-shaped portion connected to the flexible ,member.

l. A portable mat of the class described consisting of a plurality of sections of woven chain link fabric formed of spiral wires which are adapted to be laid in substantially abutting relation for rapid attachment and detachment to each other, a plurality of spaced apart fastening members arranged along each of the abutting edges of each of said sections with each of said fastening members extending into the convolutions'of the wire spirals of the link fabric so as to be confined therewithin substantially 'in the plane thereof, and a longitudinall ex- NOAH s. mama. 

